Iraqi Counter-terrorism Unit spokesman, Sabah al-Numani reported that the Iraqi Army launched an operation to recapture the center of Ramadi from “ISIS” terrorists as the city fell in the hands of the extremist group back in May.

Ramadi is a key urban settlement in the country and is the capital of the western Anbar province.

Earlier on Monday, “ISIS” militants were reported to prevent civilians from leaving the city as they anticipated an attack.

Naseer Nuri, spokesman for the Iraqi Defense Ministry, was quoted as saying: “There is intelligence information from inside the city that they [“ISIS”] are preventing families from leaving; they plan to use them as human shields.”

Relatively, Nuri’s remarks indicated that the Iraqi military may have gained intelligence from several families that managed to escape Ramadi.

In the context, unnamed Iraqi Army chief also said on Monday that an attack to liberate the city was imminent.

“The operation to free Ramadi will begin in the coming hours,” he explained without giving further details.

Back on Sunday, Iraqi military planes dropped leaflets on Ramadi, asking residents to leave within 72 hours and indicating safe routes for their exit.

Meanwhile, Iraqi intelligence estimated the number “ISIS” terrorists that are entrenched in the center of the city at between 250 and 300.

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